Fire extinguisher



Oct. 17, 1933. .R c, IDDINGS FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed June 17. 1929 INVENTOR WWW 20i.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITED STA TEST FIRE EXTINGUISH R V Roscoe C. lddings, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The 'Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, ()hio, a corporation of Ohio Application .Iirne 17,1929; Serial no. 331,379

8 Claims. (01. 169-32) highly reactive chemicals and provides for a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge and mixing'of the chemicals upon use of the mechanism to secure an effective and desired pressure gen-.

eration'.

Qther objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanyingdrawing and appendedclaims. In the drawing, in which like characters of ref.- erence'designate like parts throughout the se'veral views thereof- I Fig. 1 is a central verticalsectional'view of. an extinguisher constructed in accordance with this invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial verticalsectional view illustrating the position ofposition of the extinguisher. While the fire extinguisher .herein described parts in inverted will satisfactorily operate upon a variety: of

charge materials, it is adapted particularly to receive ahighly reactive charge comprising a rel atively concentrated carbonate solution such as potassium carbonate within the outer container,

and an acidsuch as chlorosulphonic, acid within the inner container.- The present extinguisher is constructed to effect such a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of acid andrmixing of the chemicals upon inversion of the extinguisher as to cause the pressure to rise slowly and to be maintained throughout a greater portion oflthe required "by Under I formed with an annular gro0ve'37 within which- Referring to the drawing, the extinguisher; comprisesa sheet metal container 10, preferably period of discharge, as is writers Laboratories;

of sheet copper tinned on the inside, having a por- The .lower'endof the container is closed by a sheet metal bottom 12 which may be fastened to the wall of the outer shell in any suitable manner suchas by soldering. Thetop of-the shell is.

provided with-a centrally arranged opening which receives therein a cover casting 14, preferably copper, to which. this end of the shell is soldered.

The upper. end of the cover casting is threaded to receive thereon acover member15 carrying a suitable handle 16, which :as shown is in the form of a ring. to serve as a base upon whichthe ex tinguisher is adapted toirest when inverted: An annular washer '17. is positioned between the cover. 15 and the upper end of the cover casting 14.

Adjacent the upper end of the extinguisher,- 0; 1

and passing through the wall of the extinguisher shell is a. discharge castingv 20. This casting is provided with an enlargedshoulder 21 whichuis soldered to the shell. Attached tovthe inner'e'nd of the casting 20is a fiaring-sheet'metal mem- 'ber 22 receiving-a screen 23, and .the outeriend of the casting is provided with a threaded nipple 24 which receives .the usual flexible carrying a discharge nozzle 26'. 1

. When an acid such as chlorosulphonic acid is used, it is preferable to provide a hermetically sealed acid container to prevent fuming 1 and corrosion. In order to insure proper operation ring member 31 re'sts.. The member 31 is pro-"- vided with a downwardly depending skirtportion 32, and the lower end of this skirt portion is formedwith inwardly, extending arms 33 connected at their inner endsto a cylindrical member134, the parts 31, 32, 33 and 34 preferably being formed in an integral casting Th'e cyliridrical member 34 is open attop and bottom and receives thereina sheet metal-tube 35, the tube being. rigidly connected to the ring 34 "such as 9 1 by soldering. The tube preferably ext-ends throughout a substantial portion of the'lehgth' of the extinguisherand its lower end is "closed by a bottom 'casting36. This casting may be the'lower end of the tube 35 seats and is-s'olde'red thereto. The upper end of the tube 35 terminates above. the cylindrical member 34 and in spaced relation to the cover 15, thus opening above the normal liquid level within the-outer container 10.

of the bottom castin'g'3'6, to prevent the spring from being displaced from the tube 35 removal of the parts for cleaning. The spring 4 1- permits the acid bottle to-be dropped to the botr tom of the tube whena rresh" charge isteihg provided without danger or breaking; Carried by the cover 15 in alignment with the tube is a pointed projection 45, this projection being shown as having anupper end 46 of smaller diameter pressed Within an inwardly opening bore formed within a central boss 47 of the cover 15. In order to'facilitate the sliding of the acid container upon inversion of the extinguisher, the tube. 35 is preferably provided with interiorly extending ribs 48, which may be rolled in the sheet metal; A cross pin 49 is pressed or otherwise secured within a transverse bore within the projection in order to limit the descent of the container 40 to hold the end thereof in spaced relation to the cover to permit the proper feed of acid from the container after'breaking.

The inner container 40 may be constructed as shown more clearly in Fig. 2 with a relatively thick glass body portion 50'and contracted neck portion 51. In order to hermetically seal the acid bottle, the end is blown in the form of a bulb .52 having a relatively thin-walled frangible upper portion 53. This construction insures the shattering of the thin frangible portion 53 without danger of the complete shattering of the acid bottle which wouldpermitthe contents thereof to be suddenly introducediinto the liquid within theouter container to give anundulyrapid and dangerous pressure rise.

It is found that when using .a charge of a solution-containing per unit volume large quantities of carbonate, and an acid such as chlorosulphonic acid, the initial. reaction of the chemicals is very violent, andthe'gas pressure tends to build up i too rapidly when the conventional extinguisher constructions are used. In accordance with this invention, means are provided for effecting a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of acid from the inner container 40. This may be accomplished by forming the contracted neck portion 5 l-of the bottle 40 of a predetermined size which is coordinated .with the effective cross section of the breaking vprojection45. I Itis found however in commercial manufactureandproduction that it is difficult to form different bottles 40 with uniform neck=portions 51, so that varying varying pressure curves.

The present invention provides. an extinguisher.-

which is uniform in operation and. which at-the same time is simple and cheap in construction and whereinthe necessity of accurate manufac ture of the glass portion of the bottle 401s avoided. This is, accomplished by the provision Jof a metal metering or cap member 55, which as shown may be, formed as a metal casting. The casting is preferably made of acid resistant metal, very satisfactory results being securedwith a;lead antimony alloy consisting of approxi- 751; forming the charge holding container or mately 95% lead and 5% antimony. This Imetal member may be fastenedto the glass bottle in any suitable manner. As shown, the metalmember is provided with 'a depending skirt. 56 which surrounds the ,end or neck portion v51,

J the lower end .of the skirt 56 seating upon the upper end of the body portion 50 of the bottle. The member 55, is preferably fastened to the bottle by means. of a plastic cement such as a.

mixture of sodium silicate and china clay,plaster .of Paris, or a mixture of litharge and glycerin;

A cement composed of aq'mixture of sodium silicate and china; clay is preferred for this purpose as it remains plastic for longer periods,-is easier.

to handle, and'is quiteresistant to acid..

the hollow cylindrical skirt 56 to the desired position. The excess cement is then scraped off, andthe bottle laid aside to permit the cement toset to firmly attach the metal metering member over thefrangible end of the bottle. To more securely attach the metering member 55, the inner surface of the depending skirt 56 is preferably provided with an irregular surface,

such as a groove 58, Within which the cement is pressed during assembly to provide a locking engagement.

.The upper end of the member 55 is formed witha thickened portion indicated at 60, thereby providing a relatively large mass of metalwhich affords sufficient Weight to insure rapid sliding movement of the bottle '40- upon inversion of the extinguisher to. cause breaking of the frangible portion thereof. The'upper surface of the member 55 is formed with an inclined guiding portion 61 which terminates in a'constrict'ed orifice 62 of predetermined size in alignment with the frangible portion 53 of .the bottle. Inthi's manner, a uniform metering orifice 62 of predetermined cross-section is provided which does not appreciablyfvary in commercial production for different castings. If desired, the metering orifice. 62 may be drilled and the inclined portion formed with a countersink, but generallysatisfactory results are obtained by casting th metal member inthe form shown. Y r i In operation, when it is desired to us'ethe extinguisher the container 10 is inverted. This results in a sliding movement of the bottle i0 along theribbed tube--35. The diameter of the.

bottle'an'd the exterior diameter of the member 55-is preferablysomewhat less than the'iriterior diameter of the circle passing through the inner extremities of the ribs 48' whereby the bottle has only a limited surface engagement with the ribs. This construction in conjunction with the weighted-end 60 of the bottle insures a rapid sliding movement along the tube, 35. The ribs than the diameter of the orifice 62. After-the 48. serve toguide the bottle 40, in its sliding -movement to properly maintain the same sufficiently centeredso that the point-of the pro jection 45 enters the larger opening formed by the inclined surface 61 which guides the point into the orifice 62 of the metering member. Due- 1 to the force of the sliding bottle and the thin pointed projection 45 has broken the frangible closure. of the bottle, the bottle continues to slidedown about the projection until as shown in Fig; 2 the metering member 55 comes into enorifice 62. The size of the projection '45 is coordinated with the size of the orifice 62 to form 30 container.

46;; of the period of discharge.

an constricted channel 64 therebetween which effects a controlledlimiting of. the flow of acid from the bottle to give a predetermined rate of discharge;

,6 I When the extinguisher is inverted, the liquid within the outer container rushes downwardly and into the annular channel 65 formedbetween the depending skirt32 and the cylindrical mem, ber 34 andbetween'this member and the end of the tube 35. The tubular member 32 is of a size to surround the upper end of the tube and re-.

lated parts'in suchspaced relation as to-pro'vide an annular channel 65 of predeterminedrestr'ict-j ed size, serving to efiect controlling-limiting of .15 the rate of mixing of the chemicals. A port 68 of predetermined restricted 'size is formed in .the side wall of the't'ubular member 32,or"a plu-- ralityof restricted ports. The efiective opening of the port, or combined area of the pluralityof ports, is restricted so that the controlled limiting of the rateof. reaction as above described is effected. This construction permits a controlled and restricted flow of the solution within the outer container through the ports 68 and/or through the channel into the space 66 of the initial reaction zone, while gas generated by the reaction in the space 66 may pass upwardly through channel 65 and/or the ports 68 to provide the expelling gas pressure within the outer 68 is found to give good operating characteristics in a device of this character with an even pressure rise without markedly irregular gas ebullition from the reaction space 66. It is believed 36 that this may be due to the fact that by per mitting some liquid to flow into the reaction space 66 through the port or ports 68 due to the hydrostatic head of liquid and gas pressure above the liquid, the gas is permitted to more readily escape 4 0 from the reaction space in an upward direction through the channel 65. In any event with this construction, the expelling gas pressure rises at a controlled and safe rate,and effective. gas pressure is maintained throughout a greater portion While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferrecl'embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the'invention is not to be limited to this precise form, and

5 that changes may be made therein Without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In fire extinguishing apparatus of the character described having a casing provided with a breaking member, a container adapted to contain a liquid and having a body portion and. a frangible portion hermetically sealing said body portion, said container being adapted to move by 6 gravity within said apparatus into cooperative 'relationship with said breaking member for breaking the frangible portion, and a relatively heavy metal member positioned over said frangible portion and attached to the said container,

f35.- said metal member having an orifice of predetermined restricted size therein through which said liquid is adapted to discharge after breaking of said frangible portion, said metal member serving as a weight to augment the movement of V 70-the container and as a metering member to effect 'a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of liquid from the container.

2. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container for re- ?'yceiving a fire extinguishing liquid, an inner con- The provision of the port or ports mented to saidcontainer.

1 supported within said extinguisher. and adapted to contain a secondliquid for, reaction with said first mentioned: liquid -.to generate-an' expelling gas, said i inner container having .a frangible portionhermetically sealing the same,

a member-positioned over. said frangible portion and attached 10. the inner container, said .mem-: her having an 'orificeof predetermined restricted through which .the liquid within the. inner container adaptedto discharge *after breaking of said frangible portion, and means for breaking thez frangible portion of the inner 'container whereby the restricted orifice of said member then eifects'a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of-"liquid from the inner-container.

-3: A fire extinguisher ofthe characterdescribed, comprising antouter container for receiving-a fire extinguishing'liq'ui'd, an inner container supported... within said extinguisher and adapted to contain a second liquidfor reaction with said first'mentionedliquidtcgenerate an expellinggas, said inner containerhavlng a frangible portionhermetically sealing the same,

a metal member overlying said frangible portion and. attached to said inner container, said metal member having an orifice of predetermined re stricted size through which the liquid within the inner container is adapted to discharge, after breaking of said frangible portion, and a breaking and feed controlling projection adapted to enter Within said restricted'orifice to break the frangible portion of the .inner container and then control the discharge of liquid from said inner container, the'size of said breaking projection being coordinated with the size of the orifice to effect a controlled limiting of the flow of liquid from the inner container to give a predetermined rate of discharge.

4. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container for reits ceiving a fire extinguishing liquid, a tube supported within said outer container, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end being in communication with the space within said outer container, an inner container slidably supported within said tube and adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid to generate an expelling gas, said inner container having a frangible end portion hermetically sealing the same, a metal member overlying said frangible end portion and attached to the inner container, said metal member having a-metering of said projection being coordinated with the size of said metering orifice to then effect controlled limiting of the flowof liquid fromthe inner con,- tainer to give a predetermined rate of discharge.

5. In fire extinguishing apparatus of the charsealing the same, and a metering member having acter described, a container adapted to contain a liquid and having a frangible closure hermetically adischarge orifice through which the liquidis adapted to discharge after breaking of said frangible closure,said metering member surrounding said frangible closure and being ce- 6. In fire extinguishing apparatus of the character described, a container adapted to'contain a liquid and having a neck portion provided with a frangible closure hermetically sealing. the same, and a metal metering member having a depending skirt surrounding said neck portion and cemented thereto, said metering member having an inturned portion above the frangible closure providingan' orifice of predetermined size through which the liquid is adapted to discharge after breaking of said frangible closure.

'7. In-wfire extinguishing apparatus of the character described; an acid bottle adapted to contain an acid and having a neck portion provided witha frangible closure hermetically sealing the same,- and a metal-metering member having a depending skirt surrounding said necktportion and cemented thereto, said metering member having an inturned portion above the frangible closure forming an orifice of predetermined size,'through:

which. theliquid is adapted vto discharge after saidvend portion and attached to said bottle, theupper portion of said metal casting being thickened to provide a substantial weight to augment themovement of saidbottle and provided .with a 1 metering orifice of predetermined size through which the acid is adapted to discharge'after breaking of said frangible closure.

, :ROSCOE c. IDDIVNGSQ 

